Pic of Kiddos..........

I have the hardest time getting all my kids to cooperate when trying to get a group shot. Somebody is always scowling, frowning, angry, pouting, or just plain unhappy.



Finally here is one that I am partially satisfied with........................

Run! Don't walk... to your local Pfaltzgraff store.......

I really hate seeing businesses close, we are seeing way too many close down lately but.......... I do love a good sale. Pfaltzgraff retail stores are closing down and they will now only have their website. My local store will only be open about another week and items are 60% - 90% off. I have found some awesome bargains. I love crockery style serving dishes but can't usually afford them. Take a look at these 5 items that I got for under $25.00.

Debating if this will be a utensil container or if it will go outside to join my collection in the garden.

I envision a nice batch of freshly baked homemade crescent rolls in this serving dish.

Hmmm, maybe a platter for ham slices.Hark! I am having another vision..... I am standing in the kitchen on Christmas morn in my fluffy white apron, pouring battter into the waffle iron.And my favorite find of all........ I can just see this in the center of the table piled high with paella. I have never made paella before but there is a first time for everything.

Poinsettias.....................

I love poinsettias but I can never seem to buy one for myself every year. I always think my hubby should surprise me and buy me one. That never happens. This year I started tossing hints to my daughter so she could toss hints to her daddy so that he would buy me one. Things didn't quite work out the way I had planned. Daughter comes back to me and relays the message that daddy says if I want one to go buy it myself. OK then, one poinsettia added to the weekend grocery list. Hubby must have felt a little guilt though because the next day when he came home he had a little poinsettia for me........... stress the word LITTLE. It is the SMALLEST poinsettia I have ever seen. I controlled myself and didn't laugh when he gave it to me because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. Now of course I can not go buy myself another beautiful full poisettia because that would also hurt his feelings........



Sigh, note for Christmas 2009, Buy My Own Poinsettia!

note- this pic really does not convey how small this plant really is

2008 Christmas Tree................

Kind of hard to tell from this picture but I don't think I can possible squeeze another ornament in on my tree........


And can somebody seriously tell me what is wrong with my angel. I really love my angel with the old fashioned stained glass apearance. Problem is my kids think this angel is ugly. My feelings are so hurt, I just love her.

I am a painting fool..................

I love painting crafts. Actually I like many different crafts and activities but I have a tough time focusing on one for any length of time. I float back and forth from sewing, to knitting, to crocheting, to scrapbooking, to beading, to painting, to geneaology, to photography............ well you get the idea. Lately I have been in a painting mood so I have been busy painting as many Christmas objects as I can.

Noel ..... this was a simple project to paint, sorry the pic is blurry.

New Christmas ornaments to add to the tree. The little one on the right that says 2008 BFF has a story that I will try to share today. Two new additions to my Christmas Village...........

The Sweet shop, painted last week....

The cobbler shop also painted in the last couple weeks......The general store painted in a past year......The old red barn painted in a past year......And finally the little whited church also painted in a past year....... (needs a few touch ups)And last but not least a nutcracker. Oldest darling daughter was in our cities performance of the Nutcracker this year. I have decided that I will paint one every year that she makes it into the performance. I will also paint one for second dd if she makes it and maybe for any future grandchildren that make it into the performance

Footprints....................................

There is a popular saying that says ' God will never give you more than you can handle'. Sometimes you just want to sit back and say 'enough already'! Sometimes you feel like your shoulders can take no more weight.

This has been especially trying year for my family and today this poem came to mind...................


Footprints in the Sand


One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

by.................Mary Stevenson